A new display at the Museum of London Docklands exploring the connection between the transatlantic slave trade and some of Britain's oldest cultural organisations.

The display focuses on the art collector George Hibbert, an important member of society who derived his wealth directly from the slave economy. Many figures like him went on to became active philanthropists, and are still commemorated today for their charitable actions whilst their connection to slavery is forgotten.

The wealth generated by slavery was used to create cultural institutions such as art galleries, museums and universities -- indeed, Hibbert even has a direct connection to the museum itself, as he played a role in building the West India Docks which now house the display.

The display hopes to encourage further debate about this challenging issue.

>Craig’s review of Museum of London Docklands – “You have to be seriously into the history of London to enjoy this place. Try the Museum of London first (for the city's history) and then this one for the river's history, because it concentrates on the docks. Most of the historic wharves around Canary Wharf have long since been bombed and demolished and replaced with skyscrapers and impossibly expensive flats, but th… continued”

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ReviewMuseum of London Docklands You have to be seriously into the history of London to enjoy this place. Try the Museum of London first (for the city's history) and then this one for the river's history, because it concent…

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